Obamas, Illinois and Chicago leaders share tributes for late former President Jimmy Carter

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois and Chicago-area leaders reacted Sunday to the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Carter, the former U.S. president known as a champion of international human rights both during and after his White House tenure and who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his lifetime of dedication to that cause, died Sunday at 100, ABC News has learned.

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Carter's death was also announced by the Carter Center on X, which posted "Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia."

The tributes coming in Sunday all had a common theme: remembering the person President Carter was and not just what he did in office.

Those who knew him say there was a sense of authenticity that allowed Americans to relate to the 39th president.

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A nation in mourning is remembering the good that President Carter brought to the world.

Illinois Congressman Danny Davis had the chance to work with President Carter over the years.

"Just a wonderful character," Rep. Davis said. "A Sunday school teacher... all those kind of common things that ordinary people do, and I think America benefited."

Davis says the controversy the president faced while in office didn't represent the man he was.

"I'll always remember him as a humane person," Davis said. "A president who spoke of humanity, who dealt with people in a gentle way and tried to do what he could do to bring about peace and prosperity."

When it comes to his legacy, many people honor President Carter for the work he continued to do after he left office.

Wayne Steger is a professor at DePaul University who once interviewed the 39th president.

"He took a lot of political blame for things that were beyond the president's control and so the whole presidency," Steger said. "He appears to be a failed president but he is one of the few good people that we have had who sincerely from his heart wanted to do the right thing."

READ MORE | Jimmy Carter's journey from defeated one-term president to our best ex-president: Analysis

Some of President Carter's most significant charitable efforts came in partnership with the Lions Club, where he was a member for more than 70 years. Together, they helped treat more than 600 million people who had issues with their vision in Africa and Latin America.

"He has been such a stalwart icon of Lions International," Lions Clubs International Foundation chairperson Patti Hill said. "A very down to earth, dedicated, humanitarian. He always remembered people by name. He worked side by side with us."

Among Jimmy Carter's many beloved attributes, his innate authenticity and humanitarianism.
"Jimmy Carter is the epitome of service," Jennifer Parks, Habitat For Humanity Chicago executive director. "He's a man who not only talked about the importance of service and serving, not only our nation, but our world and making it a better place to live, he went out and sought hammers alongside volunteers."

Carter worked with Habitat For Humanity in Chicago in 1986, building townhomes in West Garfield Park. There were reports that the president and his wife even lived there temporarily.

"There's this amazing impact he's been able to put those seeds here in Chicago back in 1986 that then really blossomed and grew and blossomed out into the wider Chicagoland region," Parks said. "So his impact is not just from 1986, it's ongoing."

Parks said when people ask, what can they do to honor President Carter, she said get involved in your local Habitat for Humanity and join the work alongside his legacy.

More tributes and statements from politicians continued to pour in throughout Sunday evening.

Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama shared the following statement:
For decades, you could walk into Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia on some Sunday mornings and see hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews. And standing in front of them, asking with a wink if there were any visitors that morning, would be President Jimmy Carter - preparing to teach Sunday school, just like he had done for most of his adult life. Some who came to hear him speak were undoubtedly there because of what President Carter accomplished in his four years in the White House - the Camp David Accords he brokered that reshaped the Middle East; the work he did to diversify the federal judiciary, including nominating a pioneering women's rights activist and lawyer named Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the federal bench; the environmental reforms he put in place, becoming one of the first leaders in the world to recognize the problem of climate change. Others were likely there because of what President Carter accomplished in the longest, and most impactful, post-presidency in American history - monitoring more than 100 elections around the world; helping virtually eliminate Guinea worm disease, an infection that had haunted Africa for centuries; becoming the only former president to earn a Nobel Peace Prize; and building or repairing thousands of homes in more than a dozen countries with his beloved Rosalynn as part of Habitat for Humanity. But I'm willing to bet that many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter's decency. Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did - advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection - things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God's image. Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn't just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, "God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace." He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it. Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away - buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement:
"President Jimmy Carter truly exemplified what it meant to live a life full of service. His towering legacy of compassion for others set a standard that will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to the Carter family and their loved ones. May his memory be a blessing."

Lt. Illinois Governor Juliana Stratton issued the following statement:
"Today, we mourn the passing of Jimmy Carter, a U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize winner who served, inspired, and led as he lived-with bold courage and a tenacious dedication to making life better for all. In 1971, during his first gubernatorial address in Georgia, Carter declared, 'the time for racial discrimination is over.' As governor and as president, Jimmy Carter fought to dismantle policies and practices that feed inequities, while working to create pathways to uplift and foster inclusion and opportunity. He knew that humanity is diverse and when it is finally recognized in everyone, our country will be stronger and more unified. I send my deepest condolences to the Carter family. To a grieving nation, my family and I send our profound support as we mourn the loss of one of our country's most beloved and respected presidents. In Illinois, we will continue to honor former president Jimmy Carter's words and his legacy, by each of us working in their own deliberate way to make equity and justice for all a reality."

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued the following statement:
"President Jimmy Carter lived the American dream in every way. His legacy of love and his service to God and country are admirable beyond measure. President Carter valiantly fought for human rights and peace across the world during his presidency and beyond. He continued to serve our country with honor after his presidency by dedicating his retirement to building affordable housing and empowering others to value service and care for our neighbors. President Carter was a personal inspiration to me, as a man of deep faith in the political arena, and his values remain a north star guiding us all. We can all take comfort that he is with his beloved wife Rosalynn and in peace."

Former Chicago Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel issued the following statement:
"With the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, the United States and the world have lost a champion of peace, a defender of human rights, and a devoted humanitarian. He leaves behind an inspiring legacy of dedicated public service and an unflinching commitment to improving the lives of ordinary people everywhere. President Carter will be remembered by millions for his compassion, his friendship, and his patriotism. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire Carter family. Last year's tribute video highlights our 39th president's extraordinary accomplishments."

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin issued the following statement:
"Jimmy Carter proved that excellence in public service can extend beyond the White House. His life was an inspiration to those of us who aspire to lead a life of service. I offer my condolences to the entire Carter family, to his friends and former staff members, and to the untold millions of people throughout the world whose lives are better because Jimmy Carter lived."

Illinois U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson issued the following statement:
"Today, we grieve the passing of Former President Jimmy Carter, a leader of unparalleled integrity and compassion who devoted his life to the pursuit of justice, equality, and peace. At 100 years old, he leaves behind a legacy that profoundly shaped our nation and the world. President Carter's dedication to civil rights was evident in his actions both before and during his presidency. As Governor of Georgia, he called for an end to segregation and publicly declared that the time for racial discrimination had passed. His bold leadership in the South during a time of immense tension sent a powerful message of inclusion and progress. As president, Jimmy Carter demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing systemic inequalities affecting Black communities. His administration significantly increased federal appointments of African Americans to high-ranking positions, creating opportunities for representation in spaces of power. He also expanded funding for historically Black colleges and universities, understanding that education is a cornerstone of opportunity. President Carter worked closely with my father, Reverend Jesse Jackson, to empower marginalized communities and advance the cause of economic justice. Their collaboration helped secure greater access to federal resources for minority-owned businesses, particularly through the Minority Business Development Agency, which Carter strengthened during his presidency. Together, they emphasized the importance of uplifting underserved communities through economic inclusion, employment opportunities, and community investment. Beyond his presidency, President Carter continued to work alongside civil rights leaders like my father. He joined efforts to mediate racial and economic disparities, offering his wisdom and influence to bring people together in pursuit of equality. His efforts through the Carter Center tackled issues like voter suppression, housing insecurity, and global poverty, which disproportionately affect communities of color. His hands-on involvement with Habitat for Humanity built not just homes, but hope, for families striving for a better future. President Carter's moral leadership and tangible actions remind us that true progress requires not just words but deeds. He transformed the presidency into a platform for service and ensured that the fight for civil rights remained central to the American story. On behalf of the constituents of Illinois' 1st District, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Carter family and to all those mourning this extraordinary man. May we honor his legacy by continuing his work to build a world where justice, dignity, and opportunity are within reach for all. Rest in peace, President Carter. Your life's work will forever inspire us."

Illinois U.S. Representative Jesús "Chuy" García issued the following statement:
"Today we lost a giant of progressive politics-a farmer, veteran, teacher, and President who fought for a more humane and accountable government even when doing so was politically costly. Though President Carter faced significant challenges during his administration, he steadfastly pursued a bold agenda focused on social and human services for working families. His Administration crafted the first national energy policy, created the Department of Education, and bolstered the Social Security system. He also expanded the National Park Service, protecting 103 million acres of land in Alaska. In 1976, he created the White House Office of Hispanic Affairs to address issues of critical importance to the Latino community and held town halls across the nation to listen to the community's concerns. His new Department of Education created a fund for programs to help non-English-speaking students become proficient. President Carter's foreign policy legacy includes unprecedented movement toward peace in the Middle East and taking tangible actions-including the suspension of military aid-against countries that committed human rights abuses. He negotiated the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which provided for the return of the Panama Canal to Panama in 1999. His post-presidency, however, was perhaps the most productive era of President Carter's life. His efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to unwaveringly advance human rights and alleviate human suffering, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize decades after leaving the White House. His steadfast pursuit of truth and peace leaves a powerful legacy to uphold. My thoughts are with the Carter family, their friends, and with all those who worked with President Carter through the decades."

Illinois U.S. Representative Mike Quigley issued the following statement:
"Jimmy Carter was a good president but, more importantly, a good man. During his time in office, he championed environmental justice and helped orchestrate the Camp David Accords, brokering a peace between Israel and Egypt that endures to his day and helping ensure the survival of the state of Israel. Yet his greatest accomplishments came after his presidency. While his electoral defeat may have crushed a lesser man, President Carter only redoubled his efforts to serve the public, becoming in the process the greatest former president our nation has ever known. His work, alongside former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, at the Carter Center, with Habitat for Humanity, and his successful two-decade-long effort to eradicate the guinea worm made him the epitome of a public servant. Those of us in elected office should look to President Carter's example as a model for what we aspire to after leaving office. My deepest condolences are with President Carter's family and with those around the world who are mourning the loss of this great man."

The public can leave tributes and messages in remembrance of Pres. Carter at https://www.jimmycartertribute.org/